Admission tickets are required to attend workshop and lectures.

Tea Cocktails & Mocktails

Meg Tartasky | 12:00 - 12:45 | Hall "A"

Cocktails have been enjoyed for centuries and what makes them special is balance. With over 3000 types of tea to choose from you can utilize tea in any and every way you can think of to add complexity and specific flavor profiles to your cocktails and mocktails. We'll learn how to make your own tea flavored libations with a few simple tools and ingredients. Learn a bit about brewing, infusing and blending tea into your favorite drinks in this one hour workshop.

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I have split my favorite appetizer with strangers in Salem MA multiple times, traded mixed drinks and made new friends in dive bars in NYC, and swapped recipes with a myriad of baristas, sommeliers, entrepreneurs, and chefs. I've strengthened friendships and business relationships over countless pours of spectacular teas, funky wines, and single origin coffees.

I am passionate about food, beverages, great stories, and human connection. I've been in the specialty food and beverage industry for 25 years, and with each passing year, I get more excited about meeting new people and the food and beverages that will facilitate those meetings. I have laughed, cried, and laughed until I cried while sharing drinks and connecting with incredible people; and can't wait to do the same thing with you.

GABA Tea: Calm in a Cup or Just Clever Marketing?

Deborah Raab| 12:45 - 13:30 | Hall "B"

GABA is a chemical in the brain that helps calm the nervous system and keep us balanced. We turn to GABA tea because it captures that same sense of quiet in a cup, offering a gentle pause in a world that rarely slows down. You will learn how this tea is crafted and why it soothes, we are really exploring a small ritual of peace.

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Deborah Raab founded Tea-For-All™ in 2011 because of her personal passion for the rituals of tea. She has traveled to various areas both in the USA and throughout Asia studying the process of growing and making tea. She has taught for the USA Tea Association through their Specialty Tea Institute and offers a variety of tea experiences for her local clientele. Always learning, always sharing - anything tea! She is obsessed with the many different peoples of the world that hold tea as a meaningful part of their culture; and, most of all the ability that this one plant brings people together to meet with one another and share their dreams, concerns, and passions over a warm cup.

The Origins of Nepali Tea and Nepal Tea Collective

Pratik Rijal | 15:45 - 16:30 | Hall "A"

This presentation explores the rich history and evolution of tea in Nepal, from its early roots influenced by neighboring regions to its emergence as a producer of high-quality, orthodox teas. It highlights the unique terroir of the Himalayan foothills, the craftsmanship of smallholder farmers, and the challenges the industry has faced in gaining global recognition. The session then transitions to the story of Nepal Tea Collective, its mission to connect farmers directly with consumers, promote transparency, and elevate Nepali tea on the world stage. Through a focus on sustainability, traceability, and direct trade, the presentation showcases how tradition and innovation can work together to shape the future of tea from Nepal.

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Growing up in a family that had been in the tea business for 40 years, Pratik never thought he’d join it. Even after studying finance and starting a corporate job, he couldn’t resist the pull of the tea world. Pratik is a 3rd generation tea producer and co-founder of Nepal Tea Collective. He stays occupied by introducing Nepali teas and Nepali farmers to the worldwide market while using tea as a catalyst for social change in eastern Nepal.

Sip, Slow Down & Destress, The Power for Tea and Herbs for Body and Mind.

Jo Feltman | 15:45 - 16:30 | Hall "B"

In Sip, Slow Down & De-Stress: The Power of Tea & Herbs for Body and Mind, Jo Feltman, Wellness Coach & Founder of BuchuVida, shares her personal journey from health struggles and depression to discovering purpose through tea, herbs, and wellness. After taking a vow of silence and praying for direction, Jo began exploring the healing traditions and science behind tea and botanicals—an experience that inspired the creation of BuchuVida.

This heartfelt and educational talk explores the difference between true teas and herbs, the beneficial compounds found in green, white, and black teas such as EGCG, L-theanine, and theaflavins, and how herbs and teas may naturally support overall wellness. Jo also shares how tea can become more than a beverage—it can become a ritual that invites us to slow down, pause, breathe, and reconnect with ourselves.

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Jo Feltman is the founder and owner of BuchuVida, a wellness company centered around teas, herbs, natural products, and educational wellness experiences.

Today, Jo curates globally sourced loose-leaf teas, develops natural products using botanicals and hydrosols, and creates wellness-centered experiences including tea parties, retreats, and the Rooted in Wellness Expo. She holds two patents in natural product development and continues exploring innovative ways tea and herbs can support overall well-being.

Magic of Matcha

Agnieszka Rapacz | 13:15 - 14:00 | Hall "A"

Elevate your tea knowledge by diving into the "Green Gold" of Japan. We will examine the value of matcha through its meticulous, artful cultivation and the strict standards that define its quality. From its historical status in ceremony to its modern-day reputation as a nutritional titan, we will uncover the unique chemical composition that allows matcha to offer unparalleled health benefits and mental clarity.

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Agnieszka Rapacz, the owner of Chicago Teahouse, is a true master of her craft, with unmatched knowledge and experience. Her deep-rooted connection with tea began in her homeland of Poland, where tea is a cultural and social beverage. With her unwavering passion for tea and dedication, she became a certified Tea Sommelier in 2017 and opened her tea shop in the heart of Chicago. She has also been voted The Best Tea Shop in Chicago by Chicago Magazine. Agnieszka has traveled extensively around the world to learn firsthand about tea culture and how to make the perfect brew in every cup.

Fruity Foundations: A Custom Tea Blending Workshop

Cyndi Harron | 14:30 - 15:15 | Hall "A"

In this workshop we will offer you two base teas to create your own custom tea blends. We will provide a Raspberry black tea and a Lemon black tea that will be foundations for your two blends, as well as herbs, fruits and flowers that blend perfectly with these base teas. We will give general guidance on measurements that will enhance the look and taste of the base teas to suit your personal tastes. Once your two blends are created you can choose which of these blends to taste. We’ll brew up your choice so you can make tasting notes on your blend. If time allows you will be able to make alterations to your tea blend. Attendees will bring home their unique crafted blends as well as Simpson & Vail tea samples and some handouts.

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My parents, Joan and Jim, purchased Simpson & Vail in the late 1970’s when I was in middle school. Having a free labor source, our parents put my brothers and I to work right away doing a variety of projects for them. I joined the company full-time a few years after college (in the early 90’s). My studies and interest in herbal medicine transformed into a line of herbal blends, most of which we still sell today. Over the past 30 years I have specialized in creating the majority of herbal and flavored blends that we offer.